The Best Fancy Dress Shops In London

Things are getting spooky in the capital. With the countdown on until Halloween arrives – this year, it falls on a Saturday, so expect a whole weekend of celebrations – many of us are busy pencilling in last minute plans. Whether you’re heading to a party, watching horror films (and drinking themed cocktails) at home, exploring London’s most haunted pubs or accompanying the kids trick-or-treating, make sure you look the part with an amazing costume. And where better to go for your fancy dress fix than London’s best costume shops? With these hotspots at your disposal, you can easily rent, hire and secondhand shop your way to best dressed guest.

Where To Get The Best Fancy Dress Costumes In London

Prangsta Costumiers, New Cross

The holy grail of costume hire in London, Prangsta is a must-visit for anyone with a fancy dress do coming up. Costumes are gorgeous, handmade and one-of-a-kind, and you can rent an entire set from around £100 (with personal styling included). If nothing quite catches your eye, however, you can splurge out and have something made bespoke. Prangsta’s showroom is appointment only, so make sure to book well in advance of your event so you can get the most out of your experience. prangsta.co.uk

Where? 141 Lewisham Way, London, SE14 6QP

When? Monday to Friday 11am–7pm, Saturday 10am–6pm (by appointment only)

Call? 020 8694 9869

(c) Prangsta

So High Soho, Soho

Back in its freshly refurbished Berwick Street home, So High Soho offers a classic approach to the fancy dress affair. You won’t find anything overly posh here, but there are plenty of wigs, make-up and face paint, masks and costumes to browse through – and the window displays are half the fun. @sohighsoho on Instagram

Where? 7 Berwick Street, London, W1F 0PJ

When? Monday to Saturday 11am–7pm

Call? 020 7287 1295

Mix Max, Soho

Soho’s other fancy dress stalwart sits a few doors down on Berwick Street: Mix Max is where you go for the finishing touches. Think rails of novelty costumes, menacing masks, wigs, hats, props and balloons, crammed into a proper old-school costume shop. Expect bargains rather than couture – and a queue out of the door in the last week of October. @mixmaxaccessories on Instagram

Where? 78 Berwick Street, London, W1F 8TJ

When? Monday to Saturday 10am–7pm, Sunday 10am–5pm

Call? 020 7287 7789

Mad World Fancy Dress & Costume Hire, Shoreditch

Having been in business for more than 55 years, Mad World is one of the top costume shops in London – with people going back year after year for their costume fix. One for all the family, the shop is home to more than 35,000 costumes for rent and sale, with staff on hand to help you narrow down your selection, aid with alterations and pick out the perfect finishing touches for your look. madworldfancydress.com

Where? 69–85 Tabernacle Street, London, EC2A 4BD (entrance on Singer Street)

When? Monday to Friday 11am–7pm, Saturday 10am–5pm, Sunday 11am–4pm (extended hours in the run-up to Halloween)

Call? 020 7253 1003

Costume Studio, Islington

If you’re after a more upscale fancy dress look, then make sure to browse through Costume Studio’s extensive portfolio of outfits, accessories, shoes and wigs. This is one of London’s best fancy dress shops and – alongside its costume hire and bespoke making service – it provides costumes for film, TV and music videos, so you can rest assured everything will be high quality and have a beautiful finish. costumestudio.co.uk

Where? Montgomery House, 159–161 Balls Pond Road, Islington, London, N1 4BG

When? Monday to Friday 9.30am–6pm, Saturday 10am–5pm

Call? 020 7275 9614

Costume Boutique, Notting Hill

For something more polished than a bag-and-go costume, book in at Costume Boutique, a Notting Hill costume hire specialist. Its collection runs from Georgian and Victorian gowns to 1920s flapper dresses and 1970s disco, and it dresses stylists, photographers and TV productions as well as party-goers. Hire is strictly by appointment, so call or email ahead to talk through what you need. costumeboutique.co.uk

Where? Acklam Workspace, Unit 26, 10 Acklam Road, London, W10 5QZ

When? Tuesday to Saturday 11am–5pm (by appointment only)

Call? 020 7193 6877

(c) Beyond Retro

Beyond Retro, King’s Cross & Dalston

Not a fan of the cheesy costume setup? If you’d like something a little more stylish, mix-and-match or period accurate, try Beyond Retro’s selection of vintage garms. There are multiple locations to explore all over London, with items spanning clothing, accessories and shoes from as far back as the 1920s. For more rails to rummage, see our guide to the best vintage shops in London. beyondretro.com

Where? 92–100 Stoke Newington Road, Dalston, London, N16 7XB and 52–54 Coal Drops Yard, King’s Cross, N1C 4DQ (see all locations here)

When? Monday to Saturday 11am–7pm, Sunday 11am–6pm

Call? 020 7729 9001

Carnival Store, Hammersmith

Dressing west London since 1952, Carnival Store is a family-run fancy dress specialist on Hammersmith Road, with everything from licensed character costumes to wigs, masks, make-up and children’s outfits. Most of it is to buy rather than to hire, and prices are reasonable – full costumes start at around £35. It also offers same-day dispatch on online orders placed before 3pm. carnivalstore.co.uk

Where? 95 Hammersmith Road, London, W14 0QH

When? Monday to Saturday 10am–7pm

Call? 020 7603 7824

Fancy Dress Town, Bermondsey

A Bermondsey fixture since 2012, Fancy Dress Town is the place to go for a last-minute Halloween costume. There are thousands of costumes in stock for adults and kids, alongside wigs, make-up, props and decorations, and it stays open until 10pm in the run-up to Halloween. Everything is to buy, with click and collect if you’d rather order online. fancydresstown.co.uk

Where? 200 Southwark Park Road, London, SE16 3RW

When? Daily from 9am (10am on Sundays) until 9pm or 10pm in the run-up to Halloween

Call? 020 7740 2100

Party & Celebrate, Clapham Junction

Formerly Party Superstore, this Lavender Hill shop has been south-west London’s go-to for years, with every classic theme covered – superheroes, pirates, Hollywood glamour and beyond. Come for the fancy dress, wigs and masks; stay for the balloons, tableware and, in season, fireworks. partyandcelebrate.co.uk

Where? 268–274 Lavender Hill, London, SW11 1LJ

When? Monday to Saturday 10am–6pm

Call? 020 7924 3210

Screenface, Covent Garden

So you’ve got the outfit and the accessories sorted; now’s the time to finish it all off with a fantastic make-up look. Head down to Covent Garden and seek out Screenface for top-tier make-up products, brushes and special effects props (think fake blood, putty, facial hair, adhesives and removers). This place is a favourite of professional make-up artists and Halloween enthusiasts alike, and with the wide range of quality products available, we can see why. screenface.com

Where? 7–8 Langley Court, Covent Garden, London, WC2E 9JY

When? Monday to Wednesday 10am–6pm, Thursday to Saturday 10am–7pm

Call? 020 7836 3955